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“Boscutti’s Elvis Presley”

Walk a thousand miles in Elvis’ shoes.

It’s 1970. It’s Christmas. And Elvis Presley is jack of it. He’s had enough of the songs, the fans, the girls, the guys, everything.

He flees Graceland on a wild, manic quest to meet President Nixon before Colonel Parker can haul his ass back to Memphis. The King wants to score a Federal Drug Agent’s badge. The President of America is the only man who can get it for him. Based on an amazing true story.

Official White House photos of Elvis meeting Nixon on December 21, 1970 are the most requested items at the National Archives. (More requested than the Bill of Rights or even the Constitution of the United States.)

‘You don’t need to be an Elvis fan to love the man. He was the embodiment of the American dream. I wrote this biopic to find out what drove a boy from Tupelo, Mississippi, to become Elvis Presley. What drove a man to become a king. I want to show you a side of Elvis only a handful of people ever saw. I want you to see the true Elvis.’ Stefano Boscutti

“Boscutti’s Elvis Presley” (Screenplay) was a finalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Screenwriting Contest. Features improved screenplay format to make it easier and more enjoyable for you to read.

INFANT ELVIS, 2, lays back on a bed of pure white cotton flowers and looks up into the sun with his pristine blue eyes. His mother’s voice rolls over him as white cotton flowers flutter down like tufts of clouds.

GLADYS PRESLEY (O.S.)
You got the destiny to do great things. You is living for two people. You have the power of two people inside you.

GLADYS PRESLEY, 25, picks cotton under the bright sun.

Along with the other FIELD WORKERS, she drags behind her a large burlap tow sack she fills with cotton flowers. On top rests her young son.

GLADYS PRESLEY
Elvis, you is real, real special ’cause when God took your twin brother into heaven, you took over. You took over his soul and you took over his spirit.

Infant Elvis looks at his mother.

GLADYS PRESLEY
One day we’ll all be back together again.

Rows of cotton bushes taper back either side of Infant Elvis.

GLADYS PRESLEY (O.S.)
But on this Earth you is real, real special ’cause you is special as two people, not just one.

Infant Elvis looks up into the dazzling sun.

GLADYS PRESLEY (O.S.)
God chose you. You is the chosen one, Elvis.

Blinding sun flares in.

Sounds of distant record player spinning Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas.’

MEMPHIS – GRACELAND – DAY (1970)

Winter sun flares out under brooding clouds.

Elvis’ home is festooned with Christmas decorations left, right and center. Santas and reindeers and sleds and candles. Two interlocking wreaths of holly hang off the front double doors. Sounds of record player spinning Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas’ from inside.

VERNON PRESLEY
Son, you ain’t got no police badge for no machine guns.

ELVIS PRESLEY, 35, storms into his bedroom.

ELVIS
Goddamnit, Daddy, whose side is you on anyway?

VERNON PRESLEY
Just you wait until The Colonel hears about this.

Elvis stops dead in his tracks, spins on his heels.

ELVIS
Fuck The Colonel! Fuck it! Tear up the goddamn contract for all I care! Rip it to kingdom come! I don’t need no one telling me what I can and cannot do!! I don’t need no one telling me nothing no more!

Elvis slams his bedroom door shut.

VERNON PRESLEY
Jesus Christ, why you got to be such a goddamn selfish sumbitch?

Elvis tears the door open.

ELVIS
What the fuck did you call me?

VERNON PRESLEY
Jesus, Elvis, calm down.

ELVIS
I swear, you bad-mouth Mama one more time, I am going to outright kill you. I don’t care how illegal it is.

Elvis slams the door again and immediately opens it again.

ELVIS
Cancel the damn shows! It’s over!!

VERNON PRESLEY
Elvis —

ELVIS
Don’t you ‘Elvis’ me!

Elvis slams the door real hard.

MEMPHIS – GRACELAND – ELVIS’ BEDROOM – DAY

Elvis rifles through his wardrobe until he finds his favorite makeup case. Flips it open and empties the contents onto the king-size bed.

Elvis drags out drawers full of handguns and prescription drugs and spiritual books and police badges and empties them on top of what’s already sprawled on the bed.

Elvis chews his fingernails as he decides what to pack.

Elvis picks out a dozen police badges and tosses them into his makeup case. Tosses in one, two, three, four, five, six, seven vials of pills. Tosses in a bunch of ammo. Tosses in two books.

Elvis can’t close the lid on his makeup case. Throws out the books. About to close the lid again when he spots the framed black and white photo of his dead mother, Gladys Presley, on his bedside table. He gently picks it up and lovingly places it inside his makeup case and carefully snaps the lid closed.

Elvis picks up a gold-plated .45 handgun and wedges it into the back of his pants.

Elvis picks up his makeup case, opens the door and surveys the room before leaving. Spots his copy of the bible.

Elvis blinks.

Elvis picks up the bible and storms out.

MEMPHIS – GRACELAND – STAIRCASE – DAY

Elvis storms down the staircase. Vernon ambles to the landing.

VERNON PRESLEY
Where the hell you reckon you’re going!?

Elvis storms off.

MEMPHIS – GRACELAND – DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY – DAY

Elvis stops and looks into the music room brimming with Christmas decorations. A record player is spinning Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas’ to one side of the gold grand piano.

Elvis sneers and hurls his bible across the room into the record player, gouging the needle across the vinyl.

MEMPHIS – GRACELAND – FRONT DRIVEWAY – DAY

Elvis storms out and slams the front door behind him.

Both wreaths of holly shudder and fall to the ground.

A white dove flaps away.

Elvis whips open the driver’s door of his brand new red Pantera, flings his makeup case onto the passenger seat, jumps in and quickly turns the key. Engine whirrs.

Elvis turns the key harder. Engine whirrs and sputters.

Elvis leaps out of the Pantera, whisks out his gold-plated handgun from the back of his pants and slams five rounds straight through the hood.

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam!

Pantera’s engine coughs and sputters and roars to life.

Elvis hops in and screeches off.

Front doors fly open and two overweight bodyguards – RED WEST, 35, and LARDASS, 33 – rush out. Both trip over the wreaths of holly and sprawl over the steps. Lardass loses the hamburger he was munching on.

More startled BODYGUARDS rush out. Red West whistles over two black Lincoln limousines. All the Bodyguards squeeze into the limousines. All doors slam shut.

One rear door opens as COUSIN PEEWEE, 21, shuffles in, holding his Superman comic in one hand and a hotdog in the other. Door slams shut and limousines snake off down the driveway.

Vernon steps out of the open front doors. He picks up one of the wreaths of holly and brushes it down as he looks down the driveway.

MEMPHIS – AIRPORT – DEPARTURE TERMINAL – DAY

Elvis’ brand new red Pantera is askew with one front wheel on the sidewalk and one in the gutter. Engine is wheezing and the driver’s door is open.

Slim Hostess heads off to the flight deck. Elvis puts his copy of the Washington Post on top of his handgun on top of his makeup case on the seat next to him. He drums his fingers on the armrest.

Slim Hostess opens the door to the flight deck and curls her forefinger to beckon Elvis inside.

Elvis heads to the flight deck.

AMERICAN AIRLINES 707 – FLIGHT DECK – DAY

Elvis steps in. UNIFORMED CAPTAIN, 57, triggers the autopilot.

CAPTAIN
Mr. Presley, it is indeed an honor.

I have always wanted to meet you.

Captain juts out his right hand. Elvis looks at it strangely until he realizes the Captain wants to shake hands. Elvis shakes eagerly.

UNIFORMED COPILOT, 47, stretches out his hand and Elvis shakes it too.

COPILOT
Heck, I’ve always wanted to be you.

ELVIS
Hell, everyone wants to be Elvis Presley. Even I want to be Elvis Presley.

CAPTAIN
Let me assure you, Mr. Presley, I have listened to every one of your records.

COPILOT
And I’ve bought every one of your records.

Elvis blushes.

COPILOT
Twice.

ELVIS
Thank you, thank you, very —

Elvis spots the joystick and other controls moving magically by themselves.

ELVIS
Excuse me, sir, I don’t want to be rude or nothing here, but who’s actually flying this damn plane?

CAPTAIN
Relax, Mr. Presley, it’s on autopilot.

ELVIS
Damned if that ain’t the story of my life.

Captain stands and offers his seat to Elvis.

CAPTAIN
You want to fly, Mr. Presley?

ELVIS
Call me Elvis, sir.

Elvis sits in the Captain’s seat. He takes off his sunglasses.

CAPTAIN
Soon as you grab the stick, she’s in your hands.

Elvis gently handles the joystick, looking out onto a sea of endless white clouds and a sun suspended on the horizon. American Airlines 707 rises softly.

CAPTAIN
She’s all yours now.

American Airlines 707 rises higher.

ELVIS
Any way I can get her to go any faster?

Captain looks at the Copilot.

CAPTAIN
We’re making good time, Mr. Presley.

Elvis sits on the edge of the Captain’s seat.

ELVIS
Sir, I am in a real hurry to get to Los Angeles. Official police business, you understand. And I was wondering whether there was any way to make better time. Maybe skip the stopover in Dallas and fly straight through.

CAPTAIN
But what about the passengers who —

ELVIS
I’ll pay for any connecting flights for those other folk.

CAPTAIN
Mr. Presley. We can’t —

ELVIS
What did I do wrong?

CAPTAIN
You haven’t done anything wrong, Mr. Presley, it’s just —

ELVIS
Then why can’t I fly straight through?

Copilot taps the fuel gauge.

COPILOT
Because we need to refuel, Mr. Presley, or else we’re going to fall out of the sky.

Elvis looks out at the clouds.

Sounds of telephone ringing.

DALLAS – DALLAS AIRPORT – FIRST CLASS LOUNGE – NIGHT

Cloud pattern on the wallpaper. Elvis is on the phone, waiting for his call to be answered.

TWIN RECEPTIONISTS stare at him from the front desk.

Elvis smiles and waves at the Twin Receptionists.

Twin Receptionists smile and wave back in unison.

Elvis reaches into his makeup case and takes out a jewel-encrusted Memphis deputy badge.

Split screen as phone is answered:

LOS ANGELES – PARAMOUNT STUDIO – EDIT SUITE – NIGHT

JERRY SCHILLING, 35, edits 35mm images of a high-noon gunfight between two lean gunslingers unspooling on his Steenbeck.

JERRY
Yeah, it’s Jerry.

ELVIS
Working on the Sabbath, boy? Working for the devil?

JERRY
Who the hell is this?

ELVIS
It’s E, you sonofabitch!

JERRY
Horse shit.

ELVIS
You calling me a liar, boy?

JERRY
Rex, if those other reels aren’t here in two minutes I swear to God I’m —

Elvis looks over his Memphis deputy badge encrusted with rubies and diamonds.

ELVIS
When your cousin was sheriff of Memphis I got him to put me on the force and give me a police badge, the real thing.

Jerry stops editing. Gunslingers freeze between frames.

ELVIS
‘Cept it looked like shit so I had to get it jeweled up some.

JERRY
Oh Jesus, it is you.

ELVIS
One in the same, Jerry.

JERRY
So what’s up, E?

ELVIS
Some business I got to take care of. Police business. Can’t talk about it over the phone. But I need your help, Jerry.

JERRY
Name it, man.

ELVIS
Pick me up at LAX in two hours.

Full screen as Elvis puts down the receiver. He tosses his Memphis deputy badge into his makeup case, snaps the lid shut, picks up his handgun and strides out of the lounge like some gunslinger from hell. Or Vegas. (Or probably both.)

Twin Receptionists watch him leave in unison. They giggle in unison.

DALLAS – DALLAS AIRPORT – ON RAMP – NIGHT

Elvis strides up to the waiting American Airlines 707, makeup case in one hand and handgun in the other.

SENIOR STEWARD, 47, immediately spots the handgun and puts his hand out to stop Elvis from boarding.

Preppy Soldier awkwardly takes the cash. Elvis wanders off. Jerry steps out of his seat and catches up to Elvis at the curtains separating first class from economy.

Elvis parts the curtains.

JERRY
You going to be all right?

ELVIS
What am I going to do? Jump out of the damn plane?

Elvis steps into economy.

AMERICAN AIRLINES 707 – ECONOMY CABIN – NIGHT

Curtains close behind Elvis.

Green Christmas decorations are stretched about the packed cabin. All PASSENGERS are sleeping except one in the rear of the plane lit by an overhead cone of light.

Elvis wanders towards the light.

SENATOR GEORGE MURPHY, 55, is busy proofing a letter.

He looks up to see Elvis looking down at him.

Senator beams.

SENATOR
Why, Mr. Presley. Allow me to introduce myself.

Senator takes Elvis’ right hand in both of his and shakes and shakes and shakes.

SENATOR
California Senator George Murphy. It is a supreme pleasure to meet you, Mr. Presley.

ELVIS
Oh no, pleasure’s all mine, sir.

SENATOR
You are too kind.

ELVIS
Senator Murphy —

SENATOR
Call me G.O.

Elvis looks down at his hand still sandwiched in the Senator’s grip. Both Senator’s cupped hands immediately spring open to release Elvis’ hand.

SENATOR
It has been my privilege to serve the good people of California for almost a decade now. Good people like you, Mr. Presley. Did you know the entertainment industry is now the third biggest contributor to the economy, after defense and aerospace?

ELVIS
I did not know that.

SENATOR
It is my job. Hell, it is my duty to look after that interest, to make that interest grow, to secure that interest in the eyes of our great government.

Elvis nods.

SENATOR
In fact, you know what I tell them in Washington? I tell them, ‘Listen, we make enough bombs in Hollywood to put the defense budget to shame. You handing out any checks for our national security, you hand them down our way.’

Senator laughs at his own joke.

ELVIS
Man, you don’t miss a beat.

SENATOR
Miss a beat, miss a vote.

ELVIS
Say, maybe you can help me.

SENATOR
Fire away.

ELVIS
I need to meet the President.

SENATOR
Mr. President Nixon?

ELVIS
Privately.

SENATOR
Mr. Presley, Mr. President Nixon is a very, very busy man. Especially in the week before Christmas.

ELVIS
It won’t take long, I promise.

SENATOR
I mean, you cannot just walk up to the President in the White House. There’s protocol to consider.

ELVIS
Don’t get me wrong, Senator, I ain’t looking for no protocol.

SENATOR
I was thinking more of the President, Mr. Presley.

Elvis nods.

SENATOR
To tell you the truth, I have yet to have a private audience with the President after a lifetime of public service.

ELVIS
Busy, huh?

Senator places his right hand over his heart.

SENATOR
Busiest man in the free world.

Elvis steps away.

SENATOR
May I be so bold as to enquire why you wish to meet with the President, Mr. Presley?

ELVIS
Like to, but I am kind of busy myself.

Elvis steps back into first class.

AMERICAN AIRLINES 707 – FIRST CLASS CABIN – NIGHT

Everyone is asleep. Elvis grabs his makeup case and steps into the bathroom.

AMERICAN AIRLINES 707 – FIRST CLASS BATHROOM – NIGHT

Elvis runs the cold water.

Elvis opens his makeup case and rifles through until he retrieves three vials of pills. Pops the lids and pops pills as he hums and sings along to J.B. Coats’ gospel classic ‘Where Could I Go.’ Sings along to himself.

ELVIS
(singing)
Oh yes, oh yes
Oh living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation’s sword
Oh won’t you tell me where could I go but to the Lord

Elvis pops some more pills.

ELVIS
(singing)
Where could I go, oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Lord, I am needing a friend who’ll save me in the end

Elvis splashes some cold water on his face.

ELVIS
(singing)
Oh won’t you tell me where could I go but to the Lord

Elvis grins at his reflection as he repeats the chorus.

ELVIS
(singing)
Oh won’t you tell me where could I go but to the Lord

Elvis steps out of the bathroom, humming.

AMERICAN AIRLINES 707 – FIRST CLASS CABIN – NIGHT

Elvis almost crashes into a LUSCIOUS STEWARDESS, 23.

ELVIS
Miss, can I ask you a question?

Luscious Stewardess looks Elvis up and down. She smiles.

LUSCIOUS STEWARDESS
Certainly, Mr. Presley.

ELVIS
Do you have a pen and some paper?

Luscious Stewardess takes out a slip of paper, jots something on it and hands it to Elvis.

LUSCIOUS STEWARDESS
It’s the Hotel Washington. That’s my room number.

ELVIS
That’s great, honey, but I am still going to need that pen and some writing paper.

Luscious Stewardess hands Elvis the pen and slips into the galley. Elvis returns to his seat. Luscious Stewardess returns with several pages of American Airlines letterhead.

Luscious Stewardess hands the paper to Elvis, leans in to him, opens his tray table and flicks on the overhead light.